Holyfield's Timely Retirement Proves That Luck Still With Him

Sports Forum - Other voices - Commentary on topical issues

May 1, 1994|By Bill Lyon, Philadelphia Inquirer

Evander Holyfield, medical science learned, has a stiff heart.

Well, who didn't know that?

If you ever sat at ringside watching this honest laborer fighting, and beating, people who were taller and heavier and with a decided advantage in reach, beating people he had no business beating, it eventually dawned on you that there was really only one reason he could do what he did.

Heart.

Stout heart.

Lion heart.

Stiff heart.

Lordy, what a magnificent pump the man has.

Turns out, it is too tough for his own good.

''Stiff heart'' - that is how the doctor described the condition that forced Evander Holyfield to retire this week.

''Stiff heart'' - ironically, that which enabled Evander Holyfield to become heavyweight champion of the world, twice, is also what banishes him from the ring forevermore.